Late October

[ozark trout fisher]

I'm heading down in the last week of October (gonna fish from Campbell Bridge to Blue Springs I think, fishing for smallmouth. Do you think I'll still be able to catch 'em on the normal stuff, or will I need to dig out the jerkbaits and soft plastics?

[eric1978]

I fished from Riverview Access to 19 yesterday. Bite was really slow. I'd bring flukes, a Pointer 78 SP, some tubes and some buck-hair jigs. At least that's what I'd have tied on if I went back tomorrow. Can't say what they'll be doing in a couple weeks. Instead of floating a long stretch, I might do a shorter stretch and really work the best looking spots hard. I fished kind of fast yesterday and I think that was part of the problem.

[405z06]

I'm heading down in the last week of October (gonna fish from Campbell Bridge to Blue Springs I think, fishing for smallmouth. Do you think I'll still be able to catch 'em on the normal stuff, or will I need to dig out the jerkbaits and soft plastics?

How long does it take you normally to float from the bridge to Blue Springs? I went a couple of weeks ago and wanted to float from Onondaga to Blue Springs, but because of some bridge construction somewhere (according to the people at BS Ranch) had to start at the Campbell bridge. I guess it had rained a little the night before and the water was up a little. I got on the water about 9:15 and got back to my vehicle at 11:40 LOL. A couple of sandbars I like to stop and wade were too high to get out. Kind of a bummer

I really like that stretch, though.

If you catch about a 17 inch smallie with a chartreuse/white spinnerbait stuck in the side of it's mouth right near the bridge, that was from me 2 weeks ago. I was swinging him in and trying to dodge a big boulder and the line snapped at the canoe as I was maneuvering trying not to tip.

[ozark trout fisher]

I fished from Riverview Access to 19 yesterday. Bite was really slow. I'd bring flukes, a Pointer 78 SP, some tubes and some buck-hair jigs. At least that's what I'd have tied on if I went back tomorrow. Can't say what they'll be doing in a couple weeks. Instead of floating a long stretch, I might do a shorter stretch and really work the best looking spots hard. I fished kind of fast yesterday and I think that was part of the problem.

I'd guess I'd better come prepared for late fall fishing... I think Campbell to Blue Springs is about 5 miles. I think that should give me enough time to at least slowly fish through the better looking spots. I hope the river level is okay then.

[eric1978]

If you catch about a 17 inch smallie with a chartreuse/white spinnerbait stuck in the side of it's mouth right near the bridge, that was from me 2 weeks ago. I was swinging him in and trying to dodge a big boulder and the line snapped at the canoe as I was maneuvering trying not to tip.

Ah, I remember those days before I discovered Power Pro...heartbreaker after heartbreaker

[bourbeusefisher]

I fished from the Huzzah down to Campbell bridge then back up to Onondaga we caught a nice limit of bass but only one smallmouth. We did notice that the fish were starting to stage in their winter holes. We were catching the smaller ones in summer holes. Goodluck to you! Lests hope that the river clears up for your trip.

[ozark trout fisher]

I fished from the Huzzah down to Campbell bridge then back up to Onondaga we caught a nice limit of bass but only one smallmouth. We did notice that the fish were starting to stage in their winter holes. We were catching the smaller ones in summer holes. Goodluck to you! Lests hope that the river clears up for your trip.

I'm hoping for it too... But the Meramec is really slow to fall, so who knows.

Thanks for the advice

[eric1978]

I fished from the Huzzah down to Campbell bridge then back up to Onondaga we caught a nice limit of bass but only one smallmouth. We did notice that the fish were starting to stage in their winter holes. We were catching the smaller ones in summer holes. Goodluck to you! Lests hope that the river clears up for your trip.

When were you there? Couldn't possibly have meant today???

[bourbeusefisher]

Sunday fished from about 6:30 AM till about 6:30 PM